Chapter 9 — The French company paid me 2,000 yuan, the next day the entire chain was paralyzed

Just as I was silently thinking, the phone rang. A former boss from a domestic company. I picked up the phone - his voice was still refreshing and familiar as always:

"Tieu Lam! I heard you just 'teached those people from France' a lesson?"

Very beautiful! Too brave!”

"Don't stay abroad anymore. Go home!"

I'll pay you the same treatment as that side — no, better than them! Let's do something big together, by the Chinese people, for the Chinese people.” I raised my head, in front of me was the French CEO - his eyes were still steadfast and sincere. Behind him is an entire industry waiting to innovate. An open door to a global stage. And in my ears — is the call from my homeland, from the people who have supported me, from feelings that cannot be explained by money or fame: people, roots, and ideals. For the first time since leaving home, I stood between two worlds. On one side is motherland, full of familiarity, gratitude and self-respect. On one side is global recognition, greater challenges, opportunities to reach beyond limits. Where should I go? Which path is truly my "future"? The answer, perhaps... no one can give it to me but myself. And I know, no matter which side I choose — I won't bow my head anymore. I did not immediately respond to the well-intentioned CEO. Just calmly looked at him, then gently made a request:

“If I stay, I want to promote Leo to be my deputy.”

He was momentarily stunned — clearly not expecting me to mention this. Perhaps he thought I would take the opportunity to ask for more shares and more financial benefits.

"Climb?" – he turned to ask his assistant, "Who is it?"

The assistant immediately looked up the information:

“Leo Martin. Junior engineer just joined the company last year.”

The CEO looked at me, his eyes now changing from surprise to evaluation. Then he smiled softly.

“Of course.”

"You are the Technical Director. You have full authority to choose the personnel under you.

No need for my approval.” That answer made me secretly raise my view of him a notch. He knows how to empower. And most of all, he knows how to trust people. After that, he and I entered into a private conversation that lasted three hours. I'm not talking about personal treatment at all. Instead, I presented the entire development plan to the engineering department for the next five years. From restructuring the team, to redesigning the R&D process, to the technology map for the next three to five years, along with deep thoughts on the industry position and the future of industrial artificial intelligence. I opened up everything I thought - both visions and aspirations. And I saw clearly — his eyes became brighter and brighter. The initial surprise turned into genuine admiration. You probably never thought that the person they once considered a "low-level technician"... actually has a complete strategic picture of technology and commerce. At the end of the conversation, he stood up and proactively reached out to shake my hand.

“Miss Lam, I take back what I said before.”

“You are more than just the talent we need.”

“She is a future leader in whom we must put our trust.”

And then — I officially nodded. Accept invitation from French company. Not for money. Not because of the title. But because for the first time in my career, I saw a stage big enough, heavy enough, for me to carry the whole piece his leadership and ambitions are placed on him. No longer overlooked. No more being priced cheaply. I didn't just “stay.” I will begin to recreate this place — in my own way. Before signing, I asked the company's legal team to redraft the entire contract - a contract dozens of pages long, based entirely on the conditions I set forth. It clearly states one by one: - My powers as Technical Director, - Specific responsibilities in administration, recruitment, budget allocation and R&D direction, - And especially, provisions to protect my personal rights in all situations, including when the company changes senior personnel. I don't just need money. Not just a title. I want real power. I want the right to write the rules of the game. I've had enough of feeling oppressed by "other people's rules". From now on — I won't live under anyone else's rules anymore. I am the law. The signing ceremony was held in a small meeting room, with no color, no media, and no flashy background. I wore a neat, cool black suit, sitting across from the CEO. When I — in the name of Technical Director for Europe — put pen to paper and signed the document, I felt an unprecedented sense of security clinging to me. Not joy, but a firm belief: I will never be overthrown by injustice again. Leo was wearing his best suit, standing right behind me. On his face was radiant joy, emotion and undisguised admiration. He understood that today not only marked a turning point for me, but also a completely new beginning for his own career. At the same time, in another hidden corner of the building, Pierre was holding a cardboard box, quietly leaving the office through the assistant's entrance. The person who was once a bright star had people following and flattering him wherever he went. no one said goodbye. Not a single glance looked back. He was just a failure — replaced, forgotten. Sunlight penetrates through the glass window and shines onto the table. Each ray of light fell right on the contract I had just signed. I looked down… and knew for sure: The new page of my life had just officially begun.